Hey everyone! Lauren here, with your third chapter! I really hope you enjoy this one, cause I get the feeling it's not as good as the first one. (Meaning if I don't get good feedback on this one, you'd better watch out…J) Well, enjoy! And make sure you review when you're done, cause that's what keeps us going! And if you don't like this chapter (which I'm sure isn't true, right??) then at least you know you'll love the next one, cause it's gonna be sooooo good! So you should keep reading anyway. Alright, that's all for now!
Disclaimer: I am both a pathological liar and delusional, so just know that, no matter how many times I claim to own Harry Potter, it isn't true!! Although, if I'm a liar, then you don't know if I really mean it, or if it's just a lie, do you? Hmm…makes ya think, don't it?
I'm just playin, I'm only a pathological liar half of the time!
And I'm not delusional…
But I do own Harry Potter! I'm J.K. Rowling! Really! Ask Heather, she'll tell you…what, what are you doing? No, don't do it, I didn't mean it! What are you doing with those handcuffs, I was just—
NO! Don't take me away! I was just kidding, I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER!!!!!
Chapter three
Ablazed Appeasement
After breakfast, the four of them headed back upstairs to get ready for their trip to the lake. They all seemed to be blushing, each of them consumed with the thoughts of their particular someone in a bathing suit. Ginny had tried her best not to make it obvious, because she really was looking forward to seeing Harry in his swim trunks…she shook her head, apparently trying to snap herself out of it.
Hermione found a bag under Ron's (messy) bed and began sticking extra clothes and towels in it. Ron watched her, and an unstoppable grin took over his face. While she wasn't looking, he slipped his hand under the mattress and pulled out the small box, sneaking it into his pocket. She looked up just as he pulled his hand out and noticed said grin. In turn, it made her grin.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked mischievously, thinking she knew the answer.
"Oh nothing, I'm just watching you clean up my room…housewife." He whispered that last part jokingly, thinking she wouldn't hear it, but boy did she ever…
"Excuse me, Ronald Weasley, but did you just call me 'housewife'???" she asked, pretending to be offended. Ron, as usual, was too oblivious to realize that she was joking.
"No, I don't know what you're talking about! I would never call you that!" he said retreating, thinking she would hit him.
But instead of hitting him, she just rolled her eyes and went back to packing. She could have told him she wasn't serious, but she decided to go along with it and act the part. He didn't fail to notice the occasional glare she threw at him over her shoulder, but he didn't notice her chuckle afterwards.
Neither of them knew that the other was secretly imagining her as his wife…
Twenty minutes later, they made their way downstairs. After saying goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, they headed out the door and began their walk to the orchard. Ron kept glancing at Hermione to see if she was still upset about the housewife comment, and since she wouldn't even look in his direction, he took that as a yes. He stuck his hand in his pocket and fiddled with the box. Yes, this it the perfect time to propose, when she's mad at me…he thought sarcastically.
Hermione was still thinking about that comment, and though she hated the meaning behind it and all the societal images it brought to mind, she couldn't help but envision herself as one. Not just any housewife, but his housewife. And she smiled, picturing herself waiting for him to come home everyday, anxiously awaiting his return, and throwing her arms around his neck when he did. Of course, she would have to have a job of her own if she was to keep any of her dignity and self-respect, but the thought still comforted her. And then she imagined a little girl, with bushy, long red hair…She tried so hard to keep back her smile. She wanted right then to kiss him on the cheek and reveal that she hadn't really been mad at all, but something in the back of her mind reminded her that he wasn't supposed to think he could get away with these things, so she refrained.
After fifteen minutes, they made it to the beautiful orchard, and Ron could only think about how romantic it all was…He began playing with the box again.
They continued on to the lake, and when they finally got there, they felt a thick cloud of awkwardness pass over them. They all seemed to be asking themselves the same question: How were they supposed to change? They all looked at each other uneasily, when Hermione finally pulled Ginny behind a bush, and the boys sighed, relieved. They began to change when Harry saw a look of apprehension on Ron's face, and he couldn't help but engage himself into the situation.
"Ron, what's going on? You seem so…worried or something."
Ron shrugged, not bothering to look up.
"It's nothing, I was just reacting to the oddness of that moment just then. That's all," he lied.
Harry didn't think too much of it; he threw his shoes in the direction of the bag and walked over to the edge of the lake, looking in.
Ron set his pants down on the ground gently, careful not to let the box slip out of the pocket. He was in the middle of pulling his shirt off over his head when he heard light footsteps from behind. Just when he turned around, he felt someone jump on him, knocking him to the ground.
"'Mione!" he shouted, his mouth full of leaves. She began giggling hysterically and took off as fast as she could towards the water. As soon as he spit out his mouthful of dirt (and got his shirt off), he ran after her.
"Oh no you don't!!"
Before she was able to jump in, he swept her off the ground and threw her high into the air, all the while Hermione screaming "ROOOOON!" until she hit the water with a splash.
Ron laughed at his victory, looking up at the sky and seeing the sun at its last glorious moment. But while he was admiring the sky, he felt a tug at his legs, and suddenly he was falling head first into the water.
Ginny, meanwhile, had made her way out to Harry to see what was going on. Harry looked over toward her when he heard a rustling noise and felt his eyes widen a little at the sight before his eyes. But he stuck them back in quickly as she took a stand next to him.
"What the--"she began, but Harry shushed her, and she watched them silently. They sat down to watch as the sun slowly began to set. Ron pulled Hermione to the surface to give her a rewarding kiss as the sun cast one last gleam of light on the lake, and the thought of the ring in his pants pocket was swimming around in the back of his mind, ever present…
